No. 2 Lakers: 57-25, first in the Pacific Division No. 3 Mavericks: 57-25, second in Southwest Division
Player to watch.
Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks’ fate depends on the big-game ability of their best player. He averaged 22 points and 10.3 rebounds against the Lakers during the regular season but will probably have to raise the point production even more to keep the Mavs in it.
Factoid.
This is the first time the Mavericks have faced the Lakers in the playoffs since 1988, when the two met in the Western Conference finals. The Magic Johnson-led Lakers won that series 4-2.
Bottom line.
The Lakers won the season series 2-1. Expect them to continue to dominate in the playoffs as well. Ron Artest is playing better basketball in the postseason, which augmented some of what the Lakers weren’t getting from Pau Gasol in much of the first round. Andrew Bynum is playing his best ball of the season.
The Post’s pick:
Lakers in six
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
